What hormones are released during PTSD?

During PTSD, the body's stress response system (HPA axis) becomes dysregulated, leading to altered levels of several hormones, notably cortisol (sometimes low basal levels but increased reactivity), high levels of norepinephrine/adrenaline, elevated corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), and changes in prolactin, growth hormone, and thyroid hormones, all contributing to hyperarousal and altered fear responses, even long after the trauma ends.

What hormones are released in PTSD?

High adrenaline levels

People with PTSD have been found to continue to produce high amounts of fight or flight hormones even when there's no danger. It's thought this may be responsible for the numbed emotions and hyperarousal experienced by some people with PTSD.

Do people with PTSD have high or low cortisol?

Yes, people with PTSD and C-PTSD can have high levels of cortisol – but some also have low levels – this is why there's no 'test' available for PTSD or C-PTSD using cortisol levels.

What are the three main hormones released during a stress event?

The three main stress hormones are cortisol, epinephrine (adrenaline), and norepinephrine (noradrenaline), all released during the body's fight-or-flight response to prepare for perceived threats by increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and energy availability.
 

Can PTSD cause hormonal imbalance?

Yes, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) significantly impacts the endocrine system, causing hormonal imbalances, particularly with stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, and affecting sex hormones (estrogen, progesterone) and thyroid function, leading to diverse physical and emotional symptoms due to the body's prolonged stress response. The Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis, responsible for stress regulation, becomes dysregulated, leading to either too much or too little cortisol, while altered estrogen and thyroid hormone levels are also linked to PTSD severity, especially in women.
 

How Trauma and PTSD Change the Brain

What hormones are elevated in trauma?

Data synthesis: Hormonal responses to trauma are bidirectional. Functional derangements include increases in adrenocorticotropin hormone and cortisol, growth hormone, and prolactin levels. In contrast, gonadotropin and gonadal steroid, and thyroid hormone concentrations decrease.

What are the physical signs your body is releasing trauma?

When your body releases trauma, you might see physical signs like shaking, tingling, sudden warmth/chills, deep sighs, yawning, spontaneous stretching, improved digestion, and muscle relaxation, alongside emotional shifts such as unexpected tears or laughter, as your parasympathetic nervous system activates to discharge stored stress, leading to a sense of relief or lightness after periods of fatigue or restlessness. 

What is amygdala hijacking?

An amygdala hijack is an intense, overwhelming emotional response (like rage, panic, or extreme fear) that bypasses rational thought, where the brain's primitive emotional center (the amygdala) takes over from the logical prefrontal cortex, leading to impulsive or irrational actions, often triggered by perceived threats, not actual danger. Coined by Daniel Goleman, it's the brain's rapid fight-or-flight response misfiring on non-physical threats, causing disproportionate reactions to stressors like arguments or work issues.
 

What happens if the amygdala is damaged?

Damage to the amygdala, a brain region crucial for processing emotions, especially fear, leads to blunted emotional responses, impaired fear conditioning (learning to fear threats), difficulty recognizing emotions in others (like fear or anger), poor decision-making, and memory issues, potentially causing psychiatric conditions like anxiety or PTSD, though it also reduces fear responses, impacting threat detection and survival learning.
 

Which hormone is released when stress is high?

Cortisol, the primary stress hormone, increases sugar, also called glucose, in the bloodstream, enhances the brain's use of glucose and increases the availability of substances in the body that repair tissues.

Does caffeine make PTSD worse?

Yes, caffeine can worsen PTSD symptoms because it's a stimulant that increases anxiety, disrupts sleep, and elevates stress hormones like cortisol, all of which exacerbate core PTSD issues. While some studies show varied effects on sleep in military groups, the consensus is that caffeine's impact on the nervous system can trigger or intensify hyperarousal, panic, and anxiety, making it harder to manage trauma responses, so reducing intake is often recommended.
 

What does a complex PTSD episode look like?

A Complex PTSD (C-PTSD) episode involves intense emotional flooding (terror, shame), flashbacks (sensory or emotional), severe dissociation (feeling unreal, on autopilot), extreme difficulty regulating emotions (rage, numbness, despair), and profound self-worth issues (worthlessness, guilt), often triggered by subtle cues and disrupting daily life with hypervigilance, relationship issues, and physical symptoms like headaches or fatigue, stemming from prolonged trauma. 

Does PTSD cause adrenal fatigue?

Yes, PTSD can significantly impact your stress response system (HPA axis) leading to symptoms similar to what's called "adrenal fatigue," characterized by extreme tiredness, as the body's chronic stress response overworks the adrenal glands, potentially causing them to struggle to produce enough cortisol, though "adrenal fatigue" isn't a formal medical diagnosis but rather a concept explaining stress-induced exhaustion. The constant "fight or flight" from trauma dysregulates cortisol levels, causing fatigue, sleep issues, and other physical symptoms that mirror adrenal exhaustion, linking PTSD to significant physical and mental burnout.
 

What are the 11 signs your hormones are out of whack?

The 11 Signs of Hormonal Imbalance and What to Do

• Irregular Periods. ...
• Trouble Getting Pregnant. ...
• Hot Flashes & Night Sweats. ...
• Persistent Weight Changes. ...
• Hair Changes. ...
• Heavy Bleeding or Pelvic Pain. ...
• Mood Changes, Anxiety & Brain Fog. ...
• Fatigue & Sleep Problems.

Do people with PTSD have high cortisol levels?

Yes, PTSD can cause high cortisol levels, especially when encountering trauma reminders, leading to hyperarousal and anxiety, but it's complex, with some individuals showing blunted or low baseline cortisol, creating varied hormonal patterns that contribute to sleep issues and other symptoms, making it a hallmark of PTSD's dysregulated stress response.
 

What happens to the body when PTSD is triggered?

PTSD is not only about the emotions. It can trigger real changes in the body, including: Increased adrenaline: The body's fight or flight response is activated, leading to heightened alertness and a readiness to respond to danger.

What calms the amygdala?

To calm the amygdala, use deep breathing, mindfulness, nature exposure, physical activity, and sensory grounding to activate the prefrontal cortex and reduce stress hormones, signaling safety to your brain through techniques like deep breaths, mindful touch, calming scents, or spending time outdoors, building resilience through consistent practice.
 

What part of the brain is most impacted by trauma?

During a traumatic event, the amygdala (threat detection), hippocampus (memory), and prefrontal cortex (PFC) (regulation) are the most active, but trauma disrupts their balance, leading to an overactive amygdala, impaired hippocampus, and underactive PFC, causing hypervigilance, flashbacks, and poor emotional control.
 

What are three warning signs that your amygdala is in control of your thinking?

Emotional signs

When an amygdala hijack occurs, the emotional response tends to be sudden, intense, and disproportionate to the trigger. Typical emotional signs include: Feelings of anger. Fear, anxiety, or panic.

What chemical calms the amygdala?

Oxytocin reduces amygdala activity, increases social interactions and reduces anxiety-like behavior irrespective of NMDAR antagonism.

What is the 6 second rule of the amygdala?

Remember the 6-second rule.

It takes the chemicals that are released during the amygdala hijacking about 6 seconds to dissipate. Using this time to focus on something pleasant will prevent your amygdala from taking control and causing an emotional reaction.

What mental illness is associated with the amygdala?

The amygdala plays a critical role in processing emotions, forming memories, and responding to stress. It's also central to many mental health conditions, including depression, PTSD, anxiety disorders, and schizophrenia.

What are physical signs of unhealed trauma?

Some of the signs of unhealed trauma may include:

• Trouble concentrating.
• Mood swings.
• Avoidance of activities, people, events, or places that remind them of their trauma.
• Fatigue and exhaustion.
• Disturbed sleep.
• Sudden changes in eating habits or weight.
• Muscle soreness or weakness.
• Feelings of intense detachment or loneliness.

What is somatic shaking release?

Somatic shaking is a natural body response and therapeutic technique to release stored stress, trauma, and tension by encouraging gentle, spontaneous trembling and movement, helping to reset the nervous system and bring awareness back to the body. It involves grounding, gentle bouncing, and allowing natural vibrations to move through limbs, hips, and the spine, often followed by stillness, to discharge pent-up energy and restore energetic flow. This practice can be self-guided for stress relief or integrated into therapy for deeper trauma work, promoting relaxation and emotional resilience.
 

How do you know your brain is rewiring from trauma?

Signs Your Brain Is Starting to Heal

You start responding rather than reacting. Your relationships feel safer, and boundaries become easier to set. You find joy in small things again, and moments of peace last a little longer. These are all signs that your brain is gradually rewiring in healthier, more balanced ways.